BRPI0905390A2 - portable electronic device, and method for visualizing on a substantially planar screen of a portable electronic device the location of a portable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VIEWING ON A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANE SCREEN FROM A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE LOCATING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE. PDAs can be used to provide their users with various functions. One such function is the ability to contact users other than users who are stored on the PDA as contacts, for example by text message phone. The decision as to whether or not a particular user should be contacted can be influenced by that user's location. For example, if a contact is nearby, then the PDA user may be more likely to want to contact you. The present invention provides a PDA in which the location of one or more contacts may be displayed. In addition, the location of a particular contact can be shown on a map on the PDA screen by simply tilting the PDA at a predetermined angle around a horizontal axis. Thus, the map can be displayed in an intuitive and straightforward manner.

Description

"PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD TO VIEW ON A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR SCREEN FROM A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE THE LOCATION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE"

The present invention relates to a digital personal assistant (PDA), in particular a PDA for interacting with personal contacts. The present invention also relates to a method of interacting with personal contacts using a PDA.

PDAs currently allow their users to perform various functions. For example, PDAs can be used to organize events (eg by providing an electronic calendar); connect to the Internet; listen to music; take and / or view photos; see videos; provide directions (eg via GPS) and produce and edit documents. PDAs can also be used to store contact details such as postal addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. As such, PDAs may contain an electronic address book. Typically, PDAs may be used to view and select contacts to interact with, and may allow the PDA user to interact with the selected contact, for example, telephone or email.

The present invention recognizes that those counted in a PDA address book are currently arranged in an arbitrary order. For example, they can be arranged in alphabetical order. However, the PDA User is not provided with any additional information regarding the current state of your contacts.

The invention is described herein with respect to a PDA. However, the invention may comprise and / or be used or applied to any electronic device. In particular, the invention may comprise and / or be used or applied to any mobile and / or portable device, such as, for example, a smart phone, a netbook or a lap computer. According to the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device comprising:

a substantially planar screen configured to display information to a portable electronic device user; and

a tilt sensor for use in determining the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screen, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to:

display information related to predefined users of other electronic devices on the substantially planar screen;

operate in a mapping mode when the angle between substantially planar and horizontal atelands is within a predetermined range; and

show the location of a predefined user's electronic device of another electronic device on the substantiallyplanar screen during mapping mode operation.

The above-described handheld electronic device allows your user to easily access a mapping mode that allows the user to find the location of his or her particular selected contacts. Mapping mode can be accessed by simply tilting or rotating the handheld electronic device (such as a PDA).

As such, the user need neither remove their hands from the device, nor press any particular button. Knowing the location of a particular user (or users) of another electronic device allows the user of the portable electronic device to make a more informed decision, for example as to whether he or she would like to make contact (eg via a telephone call) Of course, the presentation of the electronic device location of a predefined user of another electronic device on the substantially planar screen also includes the ability to show the location of at least one predefined user of another substantially portable electronic device on the screen. to soar.

According to another aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may be further configured to display state information regarding said predefined user's electronic device. This allows the user of the handheld electronic device to make an even more informed decision whether they would like to make contact with another user based on the state of their contact device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the state information may comprise at least one of:

(i) what function the electronic device is performing; and

(ii) the power state of the electronic device.

This status information may be particularly useful for the user of the portable electronic device to know. For example, it may be that the other user's electronic device is being used to perform the same function being performed by the portable electronic device, and that may be more likely to be contacted.

Alternatively, if you know that another user's electronic device is turned off, then the portable electronic device user would probably try to contact him or her.

According to one aspect of the invention, the function may include at least one of:

display videos; display photographs; take photos;

play music;

send email messages;

access the Internet;

play; act like a phone.

It can be particularly useful for the user of the portable electronic device to know if the user of another electronic device is performing one of the aforementioned functions, for example in determining whether he wants to make contact with it. For example, if the other user is playing a game, then they may want to join in that game, for example, over the Internet. This list of functions is not exhaustive, and may be expanded to include any other functions that the handheld electronic device may be configured to perform.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may be configured to obtain server information relating to the predefined user's electronic device.

Obtaining information from a server means that information about another electronic device can be done efficiently.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may be configured to obtain server information as XML data forming an RS S feed.

Obtaining information through XML data (for example, XML packages) in an RSS feed further enhances the efficiency of obtaining information, especially from more than one other electronic device.

According to one aspect of the invention, the information obtained may comprise information regarding the location of the electronic device of said predefined user.

This aspect allows the predefined user location to be subsequently displayed on the handheld electronic device screen.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may further comprise a receiving unit configured to receive information relating to said predefined users of other electronic devices.

A receiving unit such as this allows the portable electronic device to receive information relating to other electronic devices directly.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may further comprise delocalization device for determining its own location.

This allows the portable electronic device (i) to determine, and display to its user, its own position relative to the position of other electronic devices; and (ii) subsequently transmit its own position to other electronic devices.

The locating device may use a triangulation method. Using a triangulation method can ensure that the given affix is conveniently accurate.

The locating device may use a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), an example of which is the Global Positioning System (GPS).

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may further comprise a transmission unit configured to transmit information from the portable electronic device.

This allows the portable electronic device to transmit information about itself to other electronic devices. Users of other electronic devices may then use the information transmitted to help determine, for example, whether they should contact the user of the portable electronic device.

The transmission unit may be configured to transmit information in the form of an RS S feed. An RSS feed such as this is a particularly efficient means of transmitting information, for example, to a server.

According to one aspect of the invention, the transmission unit may be configured to transmit information relating to at least one of:

(i) the location of the portable electronic device; and

(ii) the state of the portable electronic device.

This information may be particularly useful to users of other electronic devices in deciding, for example, whether they should contact the user of the portable electronic device.

According to one aspect of the invention, the transmitted state information may comprise at least one of:

(i) what function the portable electronic device is performing, and

(ii) the power state of the portable electronic device. Again, this information may be particularly useful for users of other electronic devices. For example, if it is known that the user's portable electronic device is turned off, then the user of another electronic device is less likely to try to make contact with them.

According to one aspect of the invention, the function may include at least one of:

display videos; display photographs; take photos;

play music;

send e-mail messages; access the Internet; act as a telephone. These functions can additionally assist the user of another electronic device in deciding whether or not to contact the portable electronic device user. This list of functions is not exhaustive, and may be expanded to include any other functions for which the portable electronic device may be configured to perform.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tilt sensor may be arranged to directly measure the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screens. Accordingly, there is no requirement that no processing be performed to calculate the angle between the flat and horizontal screens.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tilt sensor may comprise a gyroscope. Inclination sensors including gyroscopes are in particular readily available and may be of adequate accuracy.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may be configured to provide one or more of the following functions:

display videos;

display photographs;

take pictures;

play music;

send email messages;

access the Internet;

provide a telephone function;

act as a navigation device;

play;

act as an electronic organizer.

Providing at least one of the aforementioned functions allows the portable electronic device user to perform a variety of functions on the same device, thus minimizing the number of electronic devices that the person needs to carry.

According to one aspect of the invention, the predefined user whose location of the electronic device is displayed when the portable electronic device is in mapping mode is a user who has been selected on the substantially planar screen before the portable electronic device enters the mapping mode. .

According to this aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device user is able to specifically select the other user whose location should be displayed in mapping mode.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device is configured such that, in mapping mode, the location of the electronic devices of more than one of the predefined users can be displayed.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device may be configured such that, in mapping mode, the location of a predetermined number of geographically closer contacts may be displayed. This means that the portable electronic device user can easily determine if any contact, or how many contacts, is close enough to them to consider meeting them.

Displaying the location of the electronic devices of more than one of the predefined users allows the portable electronic device user to make decisions as to whether or not they want to contact particular users from the information displayed on a single screen at any given time.

According to one aspect of the invention, the substantially planar screens are rigidly mounted on the portable electronic device such that the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screen is the same angle as the portable and horizontal electronic device. This means that the user can rotate the entire device to access mapping mode, thereby improving usability.

Any suitable angle with the horizontal can be chosen as the angle at which the handheld electronic device enters the mapping mode. Thus, the mapping mode may be operable within an appropriate range of angles.

According to one aspect of the invention, the default range is between 0 degrees and ± 45 degrees.

According to one aspect of the invention, the default range is between 0 degree and ± 30 degrees.

According to one aspect of the invention, the default range is between 0 degree and ± 15 degrees.

According to one aspect of the invention, the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 10 degrees.

According to one aspect of the invention, the default range is between 0 degree and ± 5 degrees.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable electronic device is configured to operate in mapping mode when the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screen is substantially zero degree.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for displaying on a substantially planar screen of a portable electronic device the location of an electronic device belonging to a predefined user, the method comprising:

select a predefined user whose electronic device location should be displayed;

tilt the screen substantially planar so that its horizontal angle is within a predefined range; and automatically display a map showing the predefined user's electronic device location on the screen substantially when the said angle is within the predefined range.

Using such a method, the user of a suitable portable electronic device is able to view the location of their contacts in a simple and efficient manner.

According to one aspect of the invention, the step of tilting the substantially planar telescope comprises tilting the portable electronic device itself. This further increases the ease with which the user can enter mapping mode because they simply need to tilt or rotate the device as a whole.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tilting step comprises rotating the portable electronic device about a pivotal axis arranged substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the plane of the flat panel. This is a particularly intuitive axis around which the user may wish to tilt the portable electronic device, for example, to bring the screen from substantially vertical orientation to substantially horizontal orientation.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a PDA according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a specific contact screen is being displayed;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a PDA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a front view of a PDA according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a contact screen is being shown Figure 4 shows a front view of a PDA according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a map showing location of contacts is being displayed;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a PDA according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the inclination of the PDA to access a map screen; and

Figure 6 shows a front view of a PDA according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a homepage is being displayed.

Figure 1 shows a PDA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a display screen 10 is provided on the PDA 100. This display screen 10 is divided into two main areas. A first area 20 shows the currently selected function (these functions will be described here). The second area, shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 facing the bottom of the screen, contains several other selectable functions, shown in boxes 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70. Once selected, the functions selectable in boxes 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 are displayed in the first area (which may also be referred to as the main window) 20.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the PDA 100 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, various ports and / or input and / or sockets may be provided on one side of the PDA 100. Such ports / sockets may include, for example, a headphone socket 200, a USB port 210, and a power outlet 220. Other typical input and / or output ports and / or sockets may also be provided on a PDA. In addition, in some embodiments, one, more than one, or all sockets and / or gates may be provided on the front, rear, top, or bottom of the PDA, as a replacement, or in addition to the side.

The PDA 100 may comprise a controller, which may comprise a processor, and / or a storage and / or RAM device. The controller can be used to control the various functions of the PDA100 described below.

Referring back to Figure 1, as explained earlier, the PDA 100 can be configured to display a variety of different modes of operation in the main window 20 by selecting the appropriate function 30-70 in the lower half of the PDA 10 screen. Figure 1, modes of operation include: "contact" (accessed by selecting area 30); "specific contacts" (accessed by selecting area 40); "map" (accessed by selecting area 50); "homepage" (accessed by selecting area 60); and "updates" (accessed by selecting area 70). Various other modes of operation may also be available for selection.

In figure 1, the main window 20 is shown showing specific contacts. This can be seen from the specific contact area 40 that is highlighted. When the specific contacts screen is displayed, several PDA 100 user contacts 201-205 are shown in the main window 20. However, as will be described in detail below, not all contacts available to the PDA 100 user may necessarily be accessible via from the specific contacts screen. Contacts that are displayed on the specific contacts screen may be tailored to the user's needs at any given time.

Each 201-205 contact can be displayed as an avatar. In Figure 1, each 201-205 avatar is shown identically. However, in some modalities, each avatar could be specific to the contact. For example, each avatar could be a contact drawing. Alternatively, any other suitable image may be displayed for the specific contacts, such as a photograph of them. For example, the contact name could be used alternatively or in addition to an avatar. As shown in Figure 1, specific contacts are shown with both names and avatars.

In addition to showing the specific contact (for example, such as a 201-205), the specific contacts screen can also show the status of each specific contact. For example, the main specific contacts window 20 may show details of what activity is being performed by the PDA of each specific contact. For example, in the main specific contact window 20 shown in figure 1, avatar 201 is shown with a musical note next to it, indicating that Alan is listening to music.

Similarly, avatars 202, 203 and 204 are shown with a video tape, an "Â" symbol, and a telephone symbol next to them, respectively. This indicates that Lynn is using her PDA to watch a video clip, Michael's PDA is currently in sleep mode, and Susan is using her PDA to make a phone call.

Alternatively, or additionally, the specific contact states could indicate the geographic location of these contacts. For example, Gill 205's avatar is shown with an office block next to it, indicating that Gill is at his place of work. In some modes, more than one status icon may be shown next to a given avatar. For example, a contact may be either at work or listening to music, and thus has a "at work" and "listening to music" icon next to his avatar. However, in other modalities, only one status icon may be shown, such that, for example, if a contact is at work as well as listening to music, only the "listening to music" icon is shown. Of course, as explained below, in Figure 1, all contacts may be in their workplaces, even if only one of them (Gill) is shown with an "at work" icon.

A particular contact in the specific contacts window can be highlighted for selection by scrolling the various avatars. This scrolling can be accomplished by tilting the PDA 100 around the z axis (as described below with respect to the main window 20 showing the contact screen shown in figure 3). Alternatively, scrolling can be achieved by the user by using a touch input system (such as a touch pad, not shown) using his finger or an input pen.

Alternatively, still, the user could scroll by scrolling through the main window itself using his finger or a pen, for example in the area shown by the arrow 206 on screen 20. Alternatively, still, the scroll could be done using buttons ( also not shown) provided on the PDA 100.

When a particular contact is highlighted for selection, their appearance may change. This allows the PDA 100 user to easily identify which contact is highlighted for selection. For example, in the mode shown in Figure 1, contact 203 (Michael) is shown larger than the other contacts on the screen, indicating that this contact is selected for selection.

The choice of which contacts are displayed in the main window for specific contacts 20 may suit the PDA100 user's needs. This adjustment process will be described in detail in a subsequent part of the description.

As explained earlier, if the PDA 100 specific contacts function is selected, then the PDA100 main window 20 may appear as shown in figure 1. If, on the other hand, the PDA 100 contact function is selected, then screen 10 PDA 100 may appear as shown in figure 3. As shown in figure 3, when the PDA 100 contacts function is selected, all contacts available to the PDA 100 user are accessible through the main window 20. Contacts can be arranged in an appropriate order. For example, contacts may be arranged in alphabetical order, as shown in Figure 3.

A particular contact can be highlighted for selecting contacts in a particular way, such as with the specific contacts screen. For example, you may be able to scroll through contacts using a touch input device (such as a touch pad). The touch input device may be provided separately on the PDA 100, or may be incorporated into the main window 20. For example, the touch input device could be a touch pad provided in the area shown by the arrow 206 in figure 3.

Alternatively, or additionally, it may be possible to roll the contacts shown in figure 3 by tilting the PDA 100. For example, it may be possible to roll in the contacts by tilting the PDA 100 around the z axis, i.e. the axis perpendicular to the page of figure 3. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the eixo axis (ie, the axis around which the PDA 100 can be rotated to scroll the contacts) is shown perpendicular to the display screen 10. The rotation of the PDA 100 counterclockwise (ie , around an axis pointing away from the page shown in figure 3, in the direction that the PDA 100 rotated from figure 1 to figure 3) can cause contacts to rotate in one direction (for example, left to right), step PDA 100 clockwise rotation (ie, around an axis that points to the page shown in figure 3) can cause contacts to scroll in a different or opposite direction (for example, from right to left) . The specific contacts shown in the main window of Figure 1 can also be scrolled by tilting the PDA 100 in the superscript manner.

The PDA 100 may be provided with a suitable tilt sensor for scrolling the contacts when the PDA 100 is tilted or rotated, for example about an axis perpendicular to the display screen 10. For example, a gyro sensor may be used. as a tilt sensor. In addition, the tilt sensor can be configured to determine the angle at which the PDA 100 has rotated around the ζ axis (i.e. the angle relative to the neutral position, the neutral position, for example, the position at which the lateral surfaces of the PDA 100 (shown in Figure 3 are arranged in both a vertical and a horizontal plane). This angle can then be used to determine the speed at which contacts are rolled. In some embodiments, the speed at which the contacts are rotated may be associated with the PDA 100 rotation rate. This PDA 100 rotation rate may be determined by a tilt sensor, such as a gyro tilt sensor.

The PDA 100 may comprise a controller for processing how contacts are rolled by the inclination of the PDA 100. For example, the controller may convert the output of the tilt sensor to a roll rate at the contacts.

As described above with respect to the specific contacts shown in figure 1, each contact in the contact screen shown in figure 3 can be represented by an avatar, a name, or both. In addition, the status of each contact can also be displayed in the main window20 showing the contacts in an appropriate manner. The state of the contacts can be displayed as described above for the specific contacts shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows screen 10 of the PDA 100 when the PDA 100 map contacts function has been properly selected. As shown in figure 3, when PDA 100 map contacts is selected, a map is displayed in the main window 20, showing the location on a map of one or more of the contacts. In the example shown in Figure 4, the location of contact "Alan" is shown at the union between "Norwich Road" and "Longstanton Flyover". This is indicated by Alan's avatar position on the map. The location of other contacts not on the same map can be accessed by showing the contact (for example, an avatar representing the contact) at a position on the map that is in the direction of his or her location. The contact can then be selected (for example, using a touch input device such as a touch pad) and the map can then be scrolled to that contact's position.

In some embodiments, it may be possible to scroll through the contacts available in mapping mode in the same manner as described earlier with respect to the contacts screen.

The map contacts option can be accessed, for example, when both the contact (shown in figure 3) and specific contact (shown in figure 1) screens are displayed in main window 20. When the map contact operation is selected, The contact that is shown in the map may be the contact that was previously highlighted for selection previously explained in either the main window of specific contacts or contacts. Typically, however, the map contact option would be accessed when the specific contacts screen is displayed. In this way, the contact that is shown on the map would be the specific contact highlighted. In addition, contacts that are shown around the map border (and thus can be selected for map viewing) would be part or all of the other specific contacts.

The map contacts option can be accessed in any suitable way. For example, the map contacts option could be selected by selecting the map contact entry area 50 from screen10. This could be done, for example, by using a touch-sensitive input device, which may or may not understand the map's own contact input area 50.

In one embodiment of the invention, the map contacts option can be selected by tilting or rotating the PDA 100. For example, the map contacts option can be selected by tilting the PDA 100 around the χ axis shown in Figure 1. Thus referring now to Figure 5 in order to access the map contacts mode, the PDA 100 could be tilted from the substantially vertical position indicated by A to the substantially horizontal position indicated by B (at position Β, the PDA 100 is represented by dashed lines, whereas in position A the PDA 100 is represented with full lines). Thus, the specific contacts screen could occupy the main window 20 when the PDA 100 is in the substantially vertical position A, and when the PDA is then rotated around the χ axis (i.e., a substantially longitudinally disposed axis in the PDA 100) to position B shown in figure 5, the map contacts option would be shown in main window 20. As described earlier, the contact shown on the map in main window 20 would typically be the contact that was previously highlighted for selection in the specific contacts option in main window 20.

The map contacts option can be accessed by rotating the PDA 100 at any suitable angle. Typically, the rotation would be around the χ axis shown in the figures (ie, a horizontal axis, and / or an axis parallel to the plane of the longitudinal screen 10 of the PDA 100). However, any suitable rotation axis could be chosen.

It is not necessary in some embodiments to rotate the PDA 100 from a substantially vertical position shown by A in Figure 5 in order to access the map. Also, in some embodiments, it is not necessary to rotate the PDA 100 to the substantially horizontal position indicated by Figure 5 in order to access the map. Thus, if the angle between the horizontal and the plane of the PDA 100 (for example, the plane defined by the PDA 100 screen 100) is set to Θ, then the value of 0] at which the map contact mode is enabled (ie , the angle below which the PDA 100 enters map contact mode) could be any suitable angle. For example, Oip could be: 0 0 to 80 10 10 to 70 20 0 to 60 or 30 0 to 50 Hi angle in which the map contacts option is enabled could be 40 or 45

In other embodiments, the map contact screen may be accessed when the PDA 100 is rotated from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

The PDA 100 may comprise a controller that may be used to control any of the functions described herein related to the map contact option. For example, a controller can be used, for example, to convert a tilt sensor output into an instruction to display the map contact screen.

As explained above, once the map contact mode or option has been activated, the PDA 100 user is presented with information indicating the location of one or more contacts on a map. This information can then be used by the PDA 100 user in particular decision making. For example, the location of a particular contact may affect whether or not the PDA 100 user wants to contact or send information to the particular contact shown on the map. Having a map function that is accessible by simply tilting or rotating the PDA100 means that the map function can be easily accessed by the PDA 100 user in the required manner.

As stated herein, a PDA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise a range of functionalities. For example, the PDA 100 may comprise at least all known functions in typical PDAs available in prior art. Thus, the PDA 100 can allow its user to perform any or all of the following functions: view video clips; view photos, listen to music, access the Internet, send email messages; act as an electronic agenda; perform GPS functions (such as providing current PDA 100 location); make telephone calls; send text messages; play; and create and store spreadsheets and / or other documents.

The various functions the PDA 100 can perform can be displayed and accessible through a 600 home page shown in Figure 6. The 600 home page can be accessed from any other screen that is being displayed on the PDA 100 monitor 10, for example by selecting the area. 60 of screen 10 relative to the home page. This area 60 that provides access to home page 600 may be selected by a suitable device. For example, area 60 could be selected using a touch-sensitive input device, such as a touch pad. Once the home page 600 has been accessed, the PDA's various functions can be selected (for example, using a touch sensitive input device, such as a touch pad) for use by the user.

It is understood that it is not necessary for a PDA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention to use the precise menu structure and scheme described herein in relation to the figures. For example, in some embodiments, the menu structure may be at least partially layered. This may mean, for example, that a home page (which may or may not be similar to that described with respect to Figure 6) may be at the top of a hierarchical menu structure, and various other screens (such as the contact screen, specific contacts, and the map contacts screen) can be arranged at least one lower level of the hierarchical menu structure.

An explanation will now be given of how particular contacts can be selected, determined or chosen for display in the specific contacts screen shown in the main window of FIG. 1.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the PDA 100 may be configured to transmit or transfer self-respecting state information (for example, using a transmitter which may comprise an antenna). This status information may be received by other devices. For example, PDA 100 status details may be transmitted, or transferred, to other electronic devices, for example, other PDAs of the same type, or of a type similar to PDA 100. Thus, it may be possible for other electronic devices (such as other PDAs 100) receive certain status information from the PDA 100 and thus know about their status.

Similarly, according to one aspect of the invention, the PDA100 may be configured to receive or obtain (for example, using a receiver that may comprise an antenna) state information relating to the state of other electronic devices, such as other PDAs that may or may not be of the same type as PDA 100. The PDA 100 can be further configured to then use received / obtained state information, for example, in the process of selecting which specific contacts to display when the PDA 100 user selects the specific contacts option, as explained below.

In order to make PDA 100 state information available to other devices, PDA 100 may be configured to transmit XML data as one or more RSS feeds to a server. XML packets would typically contain PDA 100 state information. state could then be stored in a server. In order to access PDA 100 status information, other devices (such as other PDAs) may be configured to access the server and thus access PDA 100 status information. Information could then be provided to one or more other devices by the server. XML data form, for example, using an RSS feed. Similarly, PDA 100 may be configured to access a server in which state information relating to other electronic devices (such as other PDAs 100) is stored using, for example, the method outlined above. In this way, the PDA 100 may be able to access status information relating to other devices (for example, other PDAs 100).

In such an embodiment, each electronic device (for example, PDA 100) that is connected to the server may have its own Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) on the server. This would allow RSS feed (which may, for example, include location information regarding the electronic device) to be periodically retrieved and / or transmitted to the server for an electronic device with a particular URI.

The server configured to receive RSS feeds containing state information about PDA 100 may have a predetermined list of possible states for PDA 100. In this case, PDA 100 would then provide information to the server (for example, by an RSS feed) stating which of the Default states are currently in use. Similarly, other devices (such as other PDAs 100) can be configured to provide information to the server as to what default state they are in.

The state of each device whose state is registered on the server can be accessed at least by other devices, such as PDAs, whose states are registered on the server. As can be seen from the explanation of possible states below, it may be possible for a device (such as PDA 100) to have zero, one or more states in addition to a state registered on the server at any given time.

Although an explanation has previously been provided regarding devices that access each other's state information using XML packets in RSS feeds, it is understood that any other method, technique and / or apparatus could be provided to allow the PDA100 to access state information. other devices and for providing status information about itself to other devices.

Examples of status information that could be provided or accessed by PDA 100 include information as to which PDA 10 is currently being used; PDA 100 location information; and energy state information. For example, the state information could be whether the PDA 100 is being used to watch videos (or particular types of video); to listen to music (or a particular type of music), to view images (such as photos); surf the Internet; to transmit e-mail messages; play; or make phone calls. State information may additionally or alternatively be related to the location of the PDA 100. In this regard, as well as giving geographic location (in terms of, for example, coordinates and / or longitude / latitude), state information could also be whether the PDA 100 is in a predefined location specified by the PDA 100 user, such as at home or at work. The PDA 100 can determine your position using GPS, or any other suitable angulation method. In addition, status information may be related to whether the PDA is on; if it is currently active; or if you are in a sleep or hibernate mode.

It is understood from the presented examples of state information that the PDA 100 could be, and provide information to other devices around, in more than one state condition at any given time. For example, PDA 100 would provide state information indicating that it is active; is being used to listen to music; and is located in your house at the same time.

The PDA 100 may be configured to recognize its own state (so that it can then provide this state information to other devices) in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, software may be provided to determine its state. For example, the PDA 100 may be configured to recognize that it is being used to listen to music when it is being used to access and / or output a music file. Alternatively, or additionally, status information may be determined by the PDA 100 using hardware. For example, the PDA 100 may be configured to recognize that it is being used to listen to music when headphones are plugged into the headset socket 200 shown in Figure 2.

The PDA 100 may be configured to access information regarding the status of other devices (such as other PDAs 100 of the same or similar type) at any appropriate time. For example, PDA 100 may be configured to obtain status information about other devices automatically at a predetermined time interval, such as once per day.

Alternatively, or additionally, the PDA 100 could be configured to obtain status information about other devices (for example, by accessing the above server) when the PDA 100 user performs a specific function. For example, the PDA 100 could be configured to access status information regarding other devices when the PDA 100 is turned on, or when the user selects a certain function or mode (such as entering the specific contacts screen). Alternatively, or in addition, the PDA 100 may be configured in such a way that the PDA 100 user can instruct information regarding other devices to be accessed on demand.

Status information regarding other devices may be used by the PDA 100 in a number of different ways and for various different reasons. An example of the use of state information is in determining which PDA 100 user contacts should be displayed at any time as specific contacts, ie which user contacts should be displayed and / or accessible when the specific contacts screen is accessed by the user. user.

The specific contacts displayed by the PDA 100 specific contacts screen can thus be determined based on the PDA 100's own state and / or the state of the devices belonging to the PDA 100 user's contacts at any given time. For example, the PDA 100 could be configured such that different contacts are displayed depending on their location (determined, for example, by GPS). For example, when the PDA 100 is in your user's workplace, a predetermined specific list of work contacts could be displayed as specific contacts. These contacts could be, for example, contacts who work with the PDA 100 user, or who usually need to be contacted for work reasons.

Alternatively, or additionally, the PDA 100 can be configured to actively select specific contacts based on their own state. For example, the PDA 100 can be configured in a way that when it is in a workplace, it looks for each of the contacts in the PDA 100 user's address book and accesses information regarding the status of those contacts (using, for example, technique and handsets) to determine if these contacts are also working. These contacts whose device state indicates that they are in work can then be displayed as the specific contacts on the PDA 100. In the example screen shown in figure 1, it may be that all contacts represented by avatars 201-205 are in work, and so are PDA 100 user.

Thus, the PDA 100 may be configured to display a predetermined list of specific contacts and / or an active list (that is, determined by the PDA 100 using state information that it has obtained from other devices) as specific contacts. Whether a list activated or a predetermined list is displayed may depend, for example, on user preference.

As an additional example, if the PDA 100 is being used to listen to music, then the PDA 100 specific contacts could be properly selected. For example, the PDA 100 can be configured such that when it is being used to listen to music, a predetermined list of specific contacts (for example, those contacts who particularly like music, or particularly like the genre of music being produced by the PDA). 100) could be displayed as specific contacts. Alternatively, or in addition, if the PDA100 is being used to listen to music, then the PDA 100 can be configured to use status information it has obtained about other devices to generate an active list of specific contacts. For example, the specific contact list may contain those contacts who are currently listening to music, or currently listening to music of a specific genre.

By way of another additional example, the PDA 100 can be configured such that when map contact mode is selected (for example, by tilting or rotating the PDA 100), a map showing the location of a predetermined number of geographically close contacts is mapped. For example, a map showing the two, five, ten, or twenty closest contacts can be displayed.

Specific contacts may relate, for example, to an Internet search that a PDA 100 user is performing. For example, if the PDA 100 user is looking for a particular service (such as a restaurant, or a particular type of store), then the specific contact list could include those contacts who have posted a review of that particular service, for example, on the Internet.

As a further example, specific contacts could relate to groups with which the PDA user is registered. For example, if the PDA 100 user is registered with a photography club, then if the PDA 100 is used to take a photo, the specific contacts could be users of electronic devices that are also members of a photography club. This would make the picture easier to send to other club members if desired.

The steps of receiving state information from other electronic devices, comparing the state information of other electronic devices with the state of the PDA 100, and determining the list of specific contacts based on the comparison can be performed using a processor contained in the PDA 100.

The specific contacts displayed by the PDA 100 specific contacts screen may be updated over time. For example, as the user continues to listen to music, other users may start listening to music, and some users who were originally listening to music may stop listening to music. This changing state of the various contacts could be updated by changing the list of specific contacts over time. Alternatively, the PDA 100 can be configured such that the specific contact list that is generated each time the PDA 100 state is then fixed until The PDA 100 state then changes.

Thus, the specific contact list provides the PDA100 user with easy access to a list of those contacts they most likely want to contact at any given time.

Claims (31)

Portable electronic device, characterized in that it comprises: a substantially planar screen configured to display information to a user of the portable electronic device; A tilt sensor for use in determining the angle between the substantially planar screen and the horizontal, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to: display information related to predefined users of other substantially planar screen electronic devices, operate in a mapping mode when the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal atella is in a predetermined range; Show the location of a pre-set user's electronic device from another electronic device on the substantially planar screen during mapping mode operation. Portable electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is additionally configured to display status information about the predefined user electronic device. Portable electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the status information comprises at least one of: (i) what function the electronic device is performing; and (ii) the power state of the electronic device. Portable electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that the function includes at least one of: displaying videos; displaying photographs; taking photos; playing music; sending email messages; accessing the Internet; playing; telephone. Portable electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is additionally configured to obtain information from a server concerning the predefined electronic device of the user. Portable electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that the portable electronic device is configured to obtain said server information as XML data forming an RS S power. Portable electronic device according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the information obtained comprises information regarding the electronic device location of said predefined user. Portable electronic device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a receiving unit configured to receive information regarding said predefined users of other electronic devices. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises a locating device for determining its own location. Portable electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that the locating device is a triangulation method. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit information from the portable electronic device. Portable electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that the transmission unit is configured to transmit information in the form of an RS S power supply. Portable electronic device according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the transmission unit is configured to transmit information relating to at least one of: (i) the location of the portable electronic device; and (ii) the state of the portable electronic device. Portable electronic device according to claim 13, characterized in that the status information comprises at least one of: (i) what function the portable electronic device is performing, and (ii) the power state of the portable electronic device. Portable electronic device according to claim 14, characterized in that the function includes at least one of: displaying videos; displaying photographs; taking photos; playing music; sending e-mail messages; accessing the Internet; acting as a telephone. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination sensor is arranged to directly measure the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screens. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination sensor comprises a gyroscope. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable electronic device is configured to provide one or more of the following functions: video display, photo taking, music playing, e-mailing, accessing the Internet; provide a telephone function; act as a navigation device; play; act as an electronic organizer. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the default user whose location of the electronic device is displayed when the portable electronic device is in mapping mode is a user who has been selected on the substantially planar screen beforehand. the portable electronic device enters mapping mode. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable electronic device is configured such that, in mapping mode, the location of the electronic devices of more than one of the predefined users can be displayed. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable electronic device is configured such that, in mapping mode, the location of a predetermined number of geographically close contacts can be displayed. Portable electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substantially planar screen is rigidly mounted on the portable electronic device such that the angle between the substantially planar screen and the horizontal is the same angle between the portable electronic device and the horizontal. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 45 degrees. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 30 degrees. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 15 degrees. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 10 degrees. Portable electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined range is between 0 degree and ± 5 degrees. Portable electronic device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable electronic device is configured to operate in mapping mode when the angle between the substantially planar and horizontal screen is substantially zero degree. 29. Method for displaying on a substantiallyplanar screen of a portable electronic device the location of an electronic device belonging to at least one predefined user, characterized in that the method comprises: selecting a predefined user whose electronic device location is to be displayed. tilt the screen substantially planar so that its horizontal angle is within a predefined range; and automatically displaying a map showing the predefined user's electronic device location on the screen substantially while the said angle is within said predefined range. Method for visualizing the location of an electronic device according to claim 29, characterized in that the step of tilting the substantially planar screen comprises tilting the portable electronic device itself. Method for visualizing the location of an electronic device according to claim 29 or claim 30, characterized in that the tilting step comprises rotating the portable electronic device about an axis that is arranged substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the plane. of theplanplanar.